WCC Recognized The Pontian and Hellenic Genocides For the First Time

PHOTO: Monument to the Genocide of the Pontian Greeks in Thessaloniki

EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis).  Helleniscope, has wholeheartedly participated in a battle during 2018-19, along with many Pontian and Greek organizations, for the recognition of the Hellenic Genocides by the US Congress (which finally happened at the first paragraph of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide – The House of Representatives passed H. Res. 296 with a 405-11 vote, and the Senate passed S. Res. 150 unanimously – link here for the exact text). Therefore, we cannot but rejoice for this additional recognition!.. Here is what the official statement by WCC said:

“…At the same time, during these days we have heard and seen demonstrations in the streets of Athens commemorating the 1915 genocides of Greeks, Syriacs and Armenians, reminding us of the persistence of human cruelty, violence and greed, and that each generation faces recurrent threats to God-given human dignity and to God’s design. Christians are continuously called to renew their witness for peace, for justice, and for the integrity of creation…”

The Synod of the WCC took place in Athens very close to the Genocide memorial day of May 19, and this fact partially explains it.  We will see how the Patriarchate promotes this announcement through the various Eparchies they control – but we are not hopeful as they are totally controlled and blackmailed by the Neo-Ottoman Turks…

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source – orthodoxtimes.com

The Pontic Genocide, for the first time, in a joint WCC statement

For the first time in the history of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Pontic Greek Genocide at the hands of the Turks was explicitly referenced in the official joint communiqué, alongside the illegal occupation of Cyprus.

This marked the close of the Conference of the Churches’ Commission on International Affairs (CCIA) of the WCC, which took place in Athens from May 18 to 20 and was hosted by the Church of Greece.

The conference participants unanimously accepted the inclusion of a reference to the Pontic Genocide for the first time, following a proposal by the Church of Greece.

The communiqué also included references to commemorative events in Athens marking the tragic anniversary of “the genocides of 1915 of the Greeks, Syriacs, and Armenians,” serving as a grim reminder of humanity’s persistent cruelty, violence, and greed. Christians are continually called to renew their commitment to peace, justice, and the integrity of creation.

Notably, the World Council of Churches sharply criticized the United Nations and its role in global conflicts.

The communiqué states, “The utter inadequacy and ineffectiveness of the UN Security Council in preventing or resolving conflicts — whether in Gaza, Ukraine, or Sudan — has raised serious doubts about the usefulness of this body and whether the ‘international community,’ to which we often appeal, truly exists.”

“We mourn this failure and urgently call for a radical reform of the international peace and security architecture so that it may better fulfill its purpose of saving humanity from the scourge of war.”

At the same time, the Council praised the work of churches around the world in building peace, resolving conflicts, promoting human rights, and fostering social cohesion at the local level.

The conference focused on the ongoing situation in Gaza. It described the violence inflicted by the Israeli military as blatantly violating international law and morality. This violence is further compounded by attacks on southern Lebanon and threats of ethnic cleansing against Gaza’s Palestinian population.

Additionally, the WCC condemned the ongoing illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, the uncontrolled civil war in Sudan, the military dictatorship in Myanmar, the occupation of Cyprus, the evacuation of Nagorno-Karabakh’s indigenous Armenian population, and the growing militarization in various regions.